Walk-in X-rays service victory for Melksham

A long-running campaign to improve X-ray facilities in Melksham has been successful, with the introduction of a new weekly walk-in service at the town’s hospital.

Patients can now attend the hospital for X-rays, without needing to make appointments, on Wednesdays and Fridays.

Spa Medical Centre GP, Doctor Rob Matthews, who lobbied for the new service, said it was a welcome improvement for the town.

He said: “The RUH in Bath runs walk-in services, so if you appear there on a weekday you can walk in and have an X-ray without an appointment. That contrasts with the experience in Wiltshire where the waiting times are often two weeks for a routine X-ray.

“X-ray services are run by the RUH, and I have pursued them to set up a pilot, but it was only when Melksham Town Council wrote to them that they took notice.”

The walk-in sessions run from 10am to noon and from 2-4pm on Wednesdays and Fridays.

Dr Matthews, who is also an executive member of the West Wilts Clinical Commiss-ioning Group, said: “It’s great that Melksham now enjoys a walk-in service. The waiting times are still lengthier than we would like, but that is a step forward, and we hope this could soon be rolled out across west Wiltshire.

“We need to have a local service at least as good as the RUH, as people in Wiltshire are getting a less fair service than people in Bath.”

Councillor Richard Wilt-shire is chair of the town council’s health working group, and worked with the CCG to bring in the changes. He said: “I am very pleased we have got this new service in Melksham.

“We supported our local medical practitioners and have backed this scheme, and we are convinced this will offer a service people in Melksham will appreciate.”